Suction sweeper



Oct. 27, 1931. D. G. SMEILLIE ET AL 1,829,543

SUCTION SWEEPERV Filed Jari. 12, 1926 lnvewfors AHOY- ney Dcmald Ci SmQHIQ Harry B. WbH'Q Marv'm'E Nu'sen Patented Oct. 27, 1931 I UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE f DONALD G. SMELLIEJOF HAYWOOD, ILLINOIS, AND HARRY B. WHITE AND MARVIN E. N ULSEN, OF CANTON, OHIOQASSIGNORS TO THE HOOVER COMPANY, A CORPORATION SUCTION SWEEPER This invention relates in general to improvements in suction sweepers, and in particular to that type of suction sweeper which draws the floor covering, or other object being cleaned, up against the mouth of the suction nozzle and holds it freely suspended while it is acted .upon by an element arranged within the suction nozzle.

, Reference is here made to the co-pending divisional application Serial No. 377,642, filed July 12, 1929.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a new and improved element which operates in the nozzle of a suction sweeper to increase the cleaning efficiency of the sweeper and which prevents wear on the carpet during operation of the sweeper.

Another object of our invention is to pro vide a new and novel brushing and beating element for' suction sweepers having detachable and replaceable brushes, which are mounted so as to be practically non-fouling.

A further object is to provide an agitating element or agitator for suction sweepers that will efliciently vibrate and beat floor coverings with a minimum amount of friction, and which confines the air current in the suction nozzle to restricted passageways, so as to prevent any drop in the velocity of the air stream passing therethrough.

Other objects of the invention will'be apparent from the de ailed description and the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings wherein we have illustrated a preferred embodiment of our in-'' vention; the views are as follows;

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved beating and sweeping rotor with parts shown in section along .an axial plane;

Fig.v 2 is a detail side elevation of a suction sweeper with parts cut away to illustrate an application of the invention; 7

Fig. 3 is an end View of the rotor illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the rotor with the end plate removed and illustrates the brush securing device; I

Fig. 5 is a sectional viewtaken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1; i 1

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a detachable brush; Fig. 7 is an end view thereof;

FFig. 8 is a section taken on line 88 of .ig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of an end bearing specifically showing the ratchet mechanism, and

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the beating, sweeping rotor in elevation at right angles to the showing in Fig. l.

The embodiment of the invention villustrated in the drawing consists ofa rotating body or rotor which is formed of two sheet metal cylinders 10 and 11 which are secured together by a cast metal member 12 having its outer face grooved to form a pulley 13.

At each end of the rotor there is secured an end member 14 formed with a cup-shaped recess 15 in which a ball bearing 16 is mounted. The inner race rings of the ball bearings are mounted upon the reduced portion 17a of the shaft 17 which extends the entire ends thereof for mounting the rotor in the nozzle of a suction sweeper.

Each of the cylinders 10 and 11 of the rotor is provided with a reentrant portion forming a groove 18 which is in effect a radial socket which extends longitudinally of the rotor (shown in Fig. 5) and which registers at its inner end with a socket or recess 19 which is formed on each side of the pulley 13. Adapted to be seated in the longitudinal groove 18 is a brush 20 comprising a brush body 21 to which a series of bristle tufts 22 are secured. The brpsh body is provided with a reduced portion 23 at each end thereof and with a groove on its upper face for securing the brush in the rotor.

The brushis placed in the groove 18 with one of its ends received in the recess 19 and its other end secured in the groove by means of a spring wire 25. This spring is secured at one end to the member 14 by means of a rivet 26 and has its free end extending in a semicircle and provided with an end portion 27 which extends through the end members 14 ar engages the groove 24 in the end of the brush body 21. When the end of the spring wire 25 resting in the groove 24 of length of the rotor and projects beyond the the brush body, it will be locked in place. When it is desired to remove the brush the clip end 27 ofthe spring wire is manually pushed to one side until it registers with the cutaway portion or notch 28 of the brush body. The brush is then free to be raised from the groove 18 and removed from the rotor. r I

The groove 18 is relatively deep so that when the brush is mounted in the groove a substantial part of the brush will be below the periphery of the rotor. This arrangement provides a brush which is practically non-fouling as it prevents hair, thread and other matter from becoming entangled in tile brush particularly at the base of the brist es.

The exterior surface of the rotor is provided with relative low protrusions which extend from end -to end thereof, with the exception of the width of the pulley, and which act as beater elements upon the rotation of the agitator. These elements may be formed integrally with the rotor .body or may be secured to the surface thereof, as in the present disclosure, in which each beater element is, shown to comprise beaded strips 29, 29. Each beater element extends helically upon the rotor through approximately 180 and, there being two beater elements in the presout embodiment, has a common terminal point with the remaining beater, as is shown in Figs. 5 and 10. The heaters are preferably arranged at angles to right sections of the rotor so that in operation they will penetrate between and agitate the carpet pile with greatest effectiveness todislodge the embedded dirt. The helical arrangement of the beaters is also preferred as the carpet wear resulting from their-use is a minimum.

In order to protect the end of the rotor a cap 30 is provided with an overhanging flange 31 slightly out of contact with the rotor. This cover plate is also provided with openings 32, Fig. 3, through which air may enter toissue in a narrow stream between the edge of the end member and the flange 31. The air stream so provided prevents foreign matter entering between these parts and into the bearings.

In order that the rotor may not revolve in the wrong direction, there is provided a ratchet mechanism internally thereof. On the inner face of the member 14 there is mounted a pin 40 on which is carried ratchet arm 41 having mounted thereon pawl member 42 with inturned pawl tooth 43.

Mounted on shaft 17 is the ratchet wheel 44 having associated therewith a cylindricallike pawl release member 45. This unit, the ratchet wheel and pawl release member, are secured to the shaft by means of a pin 45a preventing relative rotation between the unit and the shaft. There is also provided a member-46 which wraps about member 40,

one end of which spring is secured to end member 14, the other end is arranged to bear against the pawl member 42 at 47 and maintain engagement of the pawl tooth 43 with the ratchet wheel 44.

In order that on rotation of the rotor there will not be the continuous sound of the pawl tooth contacting with the ratchet wheel teeth, there is provided a member 48 which is riveted or otherwise secured to pawl member 42. The outer end of this member 48 is curved to a substantially circular form to correspond with the surface of the pawl release member 45. The member 48 is made of spring material in order that it may yield if necessary.

The proper direction of rotation of the rotor as shown in Fig. 8 is in a clockwise direction and it will be evident that as soon as the rotor member begins to rotate, that because of friction between the member 48 and the face of pawl release element 45, the pawl posite direction is prevented by the action of spring 46 which causes the pawl tooth 43 to remain in engagement with the ratchet wheel teeth. This improper direction of rotation is also prevented by the action of member 48 on the pawl release member 45. Rota-- tion in' the improper direction tends to draw member 48 into closer contact to the pawl release member 45 because of the friction therebetween and thus this action assists in maintaining the pawl tooth and ratchet wheel in contact.

During the operation of the device, the carpet or floor covering will be drawn into the suction nozzle to an extent dependent upon the stiffness of the material. In order to prevent an undue degree of such action which would handicap the performance of the device, the rotor is provided with two series of segmental rings or spacers 49 which are arranged circumferentially of the rotor, one on each side of the pulley 13. It should be understood that the number of these segmentalrings may be varied as-the occasion requires and the invention is not limited to the exact number shown in the embodiment illustrated.

The invention provides eflicient means for agitating the carpet to break up and dislodge the dirt at the base of, the carpet pile, for spreading the pile so that the broken up or dislodged dirt can be removed by the suction in the nozzle, and for eifectually and thoroughly cleaning the carpet. The reverse helical agitators cause carpet waves which move back and forth against the nozzlewhen the carpet is being held against the nozzle bodiments and adaptations as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim: 1-. In a suction sweeper, a beater member comprising a rotor, beater elements rigidly secured against the peripheral surface of the rotor, the beater elements comprising beaded strip members and extending substantially from. end to end-of the rotor spirally positioned and embracing substantially half the circumference thereof and a pulley carried by said rotor which" is positioned within the periphery-thereof.

2. In a suction sweeper, a rotor and a shaft on which the rotor is revolubly mounted, the.

rotor comprising a cylindrical shell, the shell having a re-entrant portion, a brush mount ed in the re-entrant portion, the brush comprising a substantially solid back, bristles mounted in the back, a latch recess formed'inthe brush back and-latch means mounted on the rotor and co-operating with the latch recess.

3. A rotor for a suction sweeper comprising substantially cylindrical shell members, a solid pulley member between said shell members, and end bearing-carrying members, one of said shell members having a re-entrant portion, a brush mounted in said re-entrant portion, the brush having a substantially solid back portion and having bristles set therein, the pulley member having a recess in its side adapted to receive an end of the brush back, the brush back having a latchreceiving recess, and a latch member mounted on the end bearing-carryingmember received inthe latch-receiving recess of the brush back.

- L'In a suction sweeper, a shaft, a substantially cylindrical rotor mounted 'on said shaft and provided on its surface with eloni'gated projections arranged on said surface in curves having opposite directions of angular advance ments.

5. In a suction sweeper, a substantially cylindrical rotor provided on its periphery with elongated helical projections "terminating at common end points. i

6. In a suction sweeper nozzle, a rotor of substantially cylindrical contour and having on its cylindrical surface'a rigid protrusion acting as a carpet pileagitator, said protru and which serve as heating elesion having aheight above said cylindrical.

surface which is relatively small'as compared to the diameter of said rotor. 7. In a suction sweeper nozzle, a rotor of substantially cylindrical contour and having on its cylindrical surface a rigid protrusionactlng as a carpet pile agitator, said protru-.

.sion extending a distance beyond saidsurface which is relatively small as compared with the diameter of said rotor and bristles mounted below the surface of said rotor and extending therebeyond.

8. In combination with the rotor of a. suction sweeper provided with a brush-receiving portion, a brush comprising a back positioned in said brush-receiving portion, bristles mounted in said back, said back being formed at each end with an extension of reduced size and having a longitudinalgroove in its top surface to engage a part of the rotor for holding the brush in operative position.

9. In a suction sweeper, a rotor comprising a substantially cylindrical body provided on its surface with a series of beating elements and with a circumferentially extend- -ing projection arranged between said elements and of substantially the same height as said elements and acting as a carpet spacer.

10. In a suctionsweeper, a rotor comprising a substantially cylindrical body provided on its surface 'w1th a series of beating ele- -ments,' and with a circumferentially extending projection acting as a carpet spacer, the radial dimensions of the contacting surfaces of the beater elements and the projections being substantially equal, the said projections being positioned between the ends, in the axial dimension, of the individual beater elements.-

11. In a suction sweeper, a revoluble body.-

agitating elements helically arranged on said body and having converging ends, and brushes arranged bet-ween said elements.

12. Ina suction sweeper, a revoluble body,

agitatingelements arranged on the surface of said body in helices having opposite directions of, angular advance, and a brush detachably mounted on said body and parallel with the axial center line of said body.

13. In a suction sweeper, a revoluble body,

agitating elementshelically arranged on said body, brushes mounted on said body, and carpet spacer members circumferentially arranged on said body.

14. In asuction sweeper, a revoluble body, agitating elements helically arrangedon "said body and converging at their ends to a comnion point, demountable brushes arranged between said elements and parallelto the horizontal axis of the body, and circumferential- 1y arranged carpet spacers arranged between the-brush and said-elements.

15. In a suction sweeper, a cylindrical revolubly mounted body having a relatively deep depression formed in its periphery, and

-a brush comprising a back provided with rows of bristles and mounted in said depres- .sion so that a substantial part of said brush islocated below the periphery of said body to render the brush practically non-fouling.

16...In a suction sweeper, a rotor having a smooth surface, and beatin elements of iroimdedcontour which exten the length of said rotor and are positioned on and contact said surface throughout their length.

17. In a suction sweeper, a, cylindrical rotor having a smooth metallic surface and beating elements of rounded contour which extend the length of said rotor in helices having opposite directions of angular advance from common end points on said surface.

18. In a suction sweeper, a revoluble cylindrical body, brushes carried by said body and a carpet spacer on and within the longitudinal limits of said body.

19. In a suction sweeper, a rotor, a brush carried by said rotor and a carpet spacer element arranged circumferentially on said rotor between the extremities of said brush.

20.'In a-suction sweeper, a hollow cylindrical rotor having a reentrant portion in its periphery forming a brush seat, a brush comprising a back provided with bristles mounted in said reentrant portion and a stationary supporting shaft extending through said rotor.

21. In a vacuum sweeper, a rotor and a shaft on which the rotor is revolubly mounted, said rotor comprising a cylindrical shell formed with a radial socket extending longitudinally therein, a brush mounted in said socket and means detachably securing said brush in place.

22. A rotor for a suction sweeper comprising a cylindrical body having a longitudinally extending radial socket therein forming a brush seat, a wall at one end of said radial socket having a recess therein in alignment with said radial socket, a brush comprising a rigid back having bristles mounted therein and positioned in said radial socket extending into said recess and spring means cooperating to retain said brush in said radial socket.

23. In a suction sweeper, a beater member comprising a rotor, beater elements secured on the rotor, the beater elements comprising beaded strip members and extending substantially the length of the rotor from substantially common end points, said beater elements being wrapped in oppositely ex: tending spirals and each eml racing substantially'ha-lf of the circumfeience of the rotor.

24. In a suction sweeper, a rotor having a smooth surface, beating elements of rounded.

contour positioned on and extending longitudinally of said rotor, said beating elements extending radially beyond said surface a distance less than one half the radius of said rotor body.

25. In a suction cleaner, an agitator comprising a rotatable body having an external surface, and a rigid beater element extending along said surface and conforming to the curvature thereof throughout its length.

26. In a suction sweeper, an elongated rotor having a smooth surface and a rigid beating element of rounded contour extending longitudinally along said rotor in a curve.

27. In a suction sweeper, a revoluble body, circumferentially spaced elongated agitating elements on said body, and brushes spaced circumferentially from and between the longitudinal limits defined by said elements.

28. In a suction sweeper, a revoluble body, circumferentially spaced agitating elements helically arranged on said body, and elongated longitudinally extending brushes spaced circumferentially from and between said elements.

29. In a suction cleaner, a body having an elongated channel forming a seat, a transverse shoulder at one end of said seat, a brush positioned in said seat with one of its ends positioned under said shoulder, and a removable spring mcmber extended over the opposite end of said brush and cooperating with sand shoulder to prevent the displacement of said brush.

- 30. In a suction cleaner, a body having an elongated channel forming a. seat, a transverse shoulder-member extended across said seat, a brush comprising a rigid back positioned in said seat with one of its ends extended under said shoulder, and a movable spring carried by said body and normally extended across said brush back to cooperate with said shoulder-member tolock said brush in said seat, said spring-member being movable to the side of said brush back to permit the displacement of said brush from its seat.

31. In a rotary agitator fora suction cleaner, a substantially continuousbody the surface of which is extended to a plurality of radial distances from its axis of rotation, a portion at the greatest radial distance extending longitudinally, characterized by the fact that in a transverse cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation the said portion at the greatest radial distance is enclosed by an angle of 180 degrees at the axis of rotation and is adapted to contact the element undergoing cleaning upon rotation.

32. In a. rotary agitator for a suction cleaner a rotor having a curved surface, means to rotatably support said rotor and an agitating element extended a relatively short distance beyond the surface of said rotor, said element having a relatively great curvature in cross section as compared to the curvature of said rotor in cross section.

33. In a suction sweeper, a rotor having on and State of ll hn olts, this 31st day ofDecemher, A. 1). 1925.

DONALD G. SMELLIE. Signed at North Canton,

the county of Stark and State of Ohio, this 29 day of December, A. D. 1925. Sighedat North HARRY B. WHITE. Canton, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, this 29 day of De cember, A. D. 1925.

MARVIN IE. NULsEN; 

